Removing Mazda 3 SP23 door panels help!

[l.lai]

Hey Guys...

I'm new to the forums here, i did s forum search but didnt find n e thing on Mazda 3 SP23.

I get my new Mazda delivered tomorrow! I pick it up at 4pm..so im quite excited at this.

I've got some speakers i wanna get put in, its a new car so im not sure if i wanna do it myself as i have in the past with my Magna and my mates Hilux...

Anyone know if the door panels are hard to remove?/

Can someone post up some instructions on removing Mazda 3 door panels?

N e one done it before?

Help/advice please?

I mean..>Strathfield car radio are installing my amp and subs....im not sure if i should pay another $132 to get 4 speakers put in....if i do it myself i save $132....hmmm...

Instructions please?

 

[tsunami]

the sp23 and mazda3 are the same car...(sp23 is just a bit more "dressed" up) as far as removing the door panels, its not to hard, just start at the corner and pull gently but firmly...(you need to remove two screw first the first is under a lil flap on the armrest thingy, and the other is in the handle area where you open the door) so remove those two screws, pull fimrly from the far corner and try not to break to many of those bad boys, once you have all the clips removed you need to detach 2 wire harnes' and then put the door down somewhere where you wont' scratch it or damage it... also when putting in new speakers if they are round the stockers are oval you will prob need to trip the oval peice that sticks out of the door panel to "mate" to the speaker. and last but deffinatly not least there is a rain gaurd that is attached to the stock speaker, you can just peel this off and put it on your new speaker mounting bracket otherwise you will let water in to your new speakers and they will rust and thats just no good... lots of us have done this ourselves, its not to hard but you may want to buy some of the lil pop thingies from the dealership before you start..

 

[l.lai]

thanks mate!

Any picture threads or pictures?

What pop thingies? explain please?

As for the 2 wire harnes' , what do they look like? Where are they situated?

 

[tsunami]

sorry i didn't take any pictures... the wire harness are for the door locks (1) and the other is for the window and mirror adjustments. the door lock is located right behind the door handle and the other one is under the armrest in the door. there is some slack in these harness' so you can pull it out and get in there relatively easily, just don't go rippin the panel off and try to keep pullin without it disconnected... the pop thingies are the one time use plastic connectors that connect the panel to the door.... they say one time use but you can usually use most of them over if you are careful, if you have a remover tool it will help but isn't necessary...

 

[BrianG]

Along with Tsunami's reply, I would add that those "one time use" clips tend to remove easier when it is pretty warm/hot outside as plastic is more flexible when warm. A panel puller is handy to have, but not necessary, like he said. You can use something flat, sturdy, and forked as well. Make sure you pull straight out (rocking side-to-side tends to break them easier I've found).